Harper West
The word breakfast has been around since the 15th century, derived from the Gallo-Romance word desjunare, meaning to break one's fast. In Old English, a regular morning meal was called morgenmete, and the word dinner referred to a meal after fasting. During the Middle Ages, breakfast was commonly eaten by working people, children, and the elderly, while the upper classes avoided morning meals as it was seen as a sign of poverty. By the 1500s, breakfast became more prevalent, with dairy playing a more significant role, and by the Victorian era, the cooked breakfast became an institution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of the word 'breakfast' | The word 'breakfast' originated in the Middle Ages and comes from the Old English word 'morgenmete', meaning a regular morning meal. It also comes from the Latin 'dis-' + 'iejuno' ("stop fasting") and the Gallo-Romance 'desjunare' ("to break one's fast"). |
| Historical usage | The word 'breakfast' came into use in written English around the 15th century to describe a morning meal. However, the concept of a morning meal has existed in various forms throughout history, with ancient Egyptians and Greeks having a daily meal that was likely consumed in the morning. |
| Historical context | During the Middle Ages, breakfast was commonly eaten by working people, children, the elderly, and the sick. The upper classes typically did not participate in morning meals as it was associated with lower social status. |
| Evolution of breakfast | Over time, the composition of breakfast has changed. In the 1584 book "The Haven of Health" by Thomas Cogan, bread and butter are mentioned as a typical breakfast. In the Victorian era, the cooked breakfast became an institution, evolving from a luxury enjoyed by the gentry to a more widespread practice. |
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What You'll Learn
The word 'breakfast' comes from the phrase 'break fast'
The word "breakfast" has an interesting etymology. In Old English, a regular morning meal was called "morgenmete", while the word "dinner" originated from the Gallo-Romance word "desjunare", which means "to break one's fast".
Around the mid-13th century, the meaning of "dinner" shifted, and in the 15th century, the word "breakfast" was introduced to written English to describe a morning meal. The phrase "break fast", which means to end a period of not eating, is reflected in the word's etymology. This is also seen in the French word for lunch, "déjeuner", which comes from the Latin "dis-" and "ieiūnō", meaning "stop fasting".
In the European Middle Ages, breakfast was commonly consumed by the working class, children, the elderly, and the sick. The upper classes, however, did not participate in morning meals, as eating breakfast was associated with poverty and low status. During this time, people typically had two meals a day, with the main meal occurring at midday.
By the late 18th century, most people in towns and cities were eating three meals a day, and by the early 19th century, dinner had shifted to the evening for most people. Despite these changes, the concept of breakfast as we know it today is a relatively recent invention. For much of history, including in Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, people often consumed only one meal a day around noon, and morning meals were frowned upon as gluttonous and sinful.
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Breakfast in other languages
The word for breakfast in other languages often stems from the idea of 'breaking the fast', although this is not always the case.
In Dutch, for example, the word for breakfast consists of two parts: the prefix "ont", which means "starting", and the old middle-Dutch word "biten", which means "to bite" or "to eat". This literally translates to "starting to eat". Similarly, the German word "Frühstück" is a combination of "früh", meaning "early", and "stück", meaning "piece". This dates back to the 15th century when the word was used to describe a piece of bread eaten early in the morning.
In some languages, the word for breakfast appears to be derived from the time of day it is eaten. In Finnish, "aamiainen" comes from "aamu" (morning), and in Chinese, "早餐" (zǎocān) and "早饭" (zǎofàn) both include the character "早" (zǎo), meaning morning or early. In Russian, "завтрак" (zavtrak) comes from "завтра" (závtra), meaning tomorrow, which itself originates from "за утро" (za útro), meaning "after morning".
In other languages, the word for breakfast does not seem to be directly related to the concept of breaking the fast. For instance, in Italian, "colazione" originally referred to a light meal collected from whatever food was available. In Portuguese, "café-da-manhã" literally means "morning coffee".
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Ancient breakfasts
Breakfast, as we know it today, is a fairly recent invention. From the ancient Romans to the Middle Ages, people would not eat until the afternoon. The Romans believed it was prudent to eat just one large meal a day, around noon. During the Middle Ages, eating in the morning was considered gluttonous and, therefore, sinful. Breakfast was associated with poverty, as only those who were too weak to wait until midday for their main meal, or who needed the energy for a morning's labour, would eat it.
In Ancient Egypt, peasants ate a daily meal, most likely in the morning, consisting of soup, beer, bread, and onions. The traditional breakfast cooked in ancient Egypt was fūl (made from fava beans), baladi bread, made from emmer wheat, and falafel, and a mixture of fava beans with onions, garlic, parsley and coriander. In Greek literature, there are mentions of ariston, a meal taken not long after sunrise. The Ancient Greeks would eat a morning meal called “ariston” or “akratisma”. A popular dish for akratisma would be barley bread dipped in wine, or pancakes made from spelt flour.
In the European Middle Ages, breakfast was commonly eaten by working people, children, the elderly, and the sick. The upper classes did not eat or acknowledge the morning meal. Breakfast would sometimes consist of a piece of rye bread and cheese, and low alcohol-content beer. In contrast, the Romans called breakfast ientaculum, which was usually composed of everyday staples like bread, cheese, olives, salad, nuts, raisins, and cold meat left over from the night before. They also drank wine-based drinks such as mulsum, a mixture of wine, honey, and aromatic spices.
Later pioneers consumed largely cornmeal-based breakfasts, and oatmeal for dinner and lunch. Common breakfast products included corn pone, johnnycakes, ashcakes, hoe-cakes, and corn dodgers. Ashcakes consisted of cornmeal wrapped in cabbage leaves cooked in the ashes of a campfire, while corn pone is baked, corn dodgers are pan-fried, and hoe-cakes are similar to pancakes.
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Breakfast in literature
Breakfast, as a meal, has been around for centuries, and it has also been a topic of interest in literature, with many famous breakfast scenes and references in books, poems, and plays.
One famous example is the breakfast scene in Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre," where the pupils of Lowood School are served "burnt porridge," which Jane devours despite its unappetizing appearance and smell. This scene not only showcases the harsh conditions at the school but also provides a glimpse into Jane's resilience and adaptability.
Another memorable breakfast scene is found in "The Warden" by Anthony Trollope, where he describes an ecclesiastical morning feast with "eggs in napkins, crispy bits of bacon under silver covers, little fishes in a box, and devilled kidneys frizzling on a hot-water dish." This scene not only sets the tone for the indulgent nature of the feast but also provides a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the characters.
In "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien, Bilbo laments the lack of a decent breakfast throughout his adventure, while the only real morning feast is consumed by Gandalf, who enjoys "two whole loaves with masses of butter, honey, and clotted cream, finished off with a pipe of tobacco." This scene highlights the contrasting experiences of the characters and adds a touch of humour to the story.
In "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis, a detailed description of Patrick Bateman's breakfast routine gives readers insight into his psychotic tendencies and his obsession with order and control.
Poetry has also featured breakfast as a central theme. Jacques Prévert's poem, "Breakfast," written in 1946 shortly after World War II, explores the theme of post-war meaninglessness and alienation. The poem describes a person's routinized breakfast activity, including preparing coffee with milk and sugar, and the emotional impact it has on the speaker, who feels ignored and cries at the end.
Breakfast scenes and references in literature can add depth to characters, provide social commentary, or simply indulge in the pleasure of describing delicious morning feasts. They showcase the importance of this daily meal in our lives and how it can be used as a powerful literary device.
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The evolution of the meal
The concept of breakfast has evolved significantly over time, with the morning meal taking on different forms and significance in various cultures.
In ancient times, daily meals varied across civilisations. In Ancient Egypt, peasants typically consumed a morning meal consisting of soup, beer, bread, and onions before beginning their labour in the fields or working for the pharaohs. Similarly, Greek literature mentions ariston, a meal taken shortly after sunrise. However, in Roman times, it was customary to consume only one large meal around noon, and breakfast was frowned upon as it was considered gluttonous and unhealthy.
During the Middle Ages, monastic life influenced eating habits. People generally adhered to a two-meal system, with nothing consumed before morning Mass and meat allowed only on specific days. Breakfast was associated with the lower classes, as those who laboured required sustenance in the morning. It might consist of rye bread and cheese, along with low-alcohol beer.
By the 1500s, references to breakfast became more common in English, with dairy gaining importance. The book 'The Haven of Health' from 1584 mentions "bread and butter" as a typical country breakfast. During the 17th century, the British aristocracy adopted the French custom of "souper", a light evening meal, which influenced the modern lunchtime meal.
In the 18th century, tea, coffee, and chocolate were introduced to Great Britain, and coffee and chocolate became fashionable breakfast drinks. By the late 18th century, most townspeople and city dwellers were eating three meals a day.
Breakfast as we know it today is a more recent development. In the 19th century, the traditional cooked breakfast became an institution, initially a luxury enjoyed by the upper classes. The full English or British breakfast, influenced by religious ritual, became a staple.
In the 20th century, breakfast cereals gained popularity, particularly during World War II when they served as a convenient substitute for rationed foods like pork and eggs. The marketing campaigns of companies like Kellogg's further emphasised the importance of breakfast, coining the slogan "Eat a Good Breakfast. Do a Better Job."
In modern times, breakfast habits vary globally. While some cultures, like Iceland's, treat breakfast with reverence, enjoying a hearty meal at home, other cultures, like America's, tend to rush through breakfast, giving rise to breakfast bars and drive-through options.
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Frequently asked questions
The word "breakfast" came into use in written English in the 15th century.
In the European Middle Ages, breakfast was commonly eaten by working people, children, the elderly, and the sick. It usually consisted of rye bread and cheese and did not include any meat. In Ancient Egypt, peasants ate a daily meal in the morning consisting of soup, beer, bread, and onions.
The word "breakfast" comes from the verbal phrase "break" (v.) + "fast" (n.), meaning "to break the night's fast". In Old English, a regular morning meal was called "morgenmete".
Over time, the meaning of the word "breakfast" has shifted from referring specifically to a morning meal to also being used to describe a midday meal or "lunch".
